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French MPs
French MPs in the national assembly in Paris. Photograph: Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images
French MPs in the national assembly in Paris. Photograph: Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images

French MPs approve gay marriage bill

This article is more than 11 years old
Bill passed in lower house of parliament by 329 votes to 229 and now goes to the senate

France's lower house of parliament has approved a bill to legalise gay marriage and allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

President François Hollande's Socialists pushed the measure through the national assembly, carrying a vote by 329 to 229.

The assembly has been debating the bill and voting on individual articles in recent weeks. The bill now goes to the senate, which is also controlled by the Socialists and their allies.

Polls show most French support legalising gay marriage, though that backing softens when children come into play. There have been demonstrations in recent weeks by opponents of the bill.

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